Fabulous Fiction from Usborne

Authors' guidelines
In July 2004 Usborne launched its Fabulous New Fiction list with a host of exciting authors
from established, prize-winning writers to talented newcomers. We are continuing to develop
and expand our fiction programme, and are looking for ideas and stories that fit the criteria
laid out below. You can find details of our current programme on our website:
www.fiction.usborne.com. Across the range we are looking for innovative, exciting, original
and above all child-centred stories that will capture children's imagination and engender a
love of reading. We are looking for stories that are easily accessible to children, that speak
directly to the child reader and are highly readable. Exciting and page-turning plots,
memorable characters and interesting, fresh voices are all important criteria. We are
interested in strong series ideas, lots of humour and adventure, and books that will appeal to
both boys and girls.

Junior Fiction
Black and white illustrated chapter books for emerging or more confident readers. Generous
amounts of illustration, short chapters and easy-to-read type. Concept-based or character-
led series. Lively, appealing stories with real page-turning quality; strong central characters;
lots of dialogue and plenty of humour where appropriate.

Age group: 6 - 8
Extent: 64 - 80pp
Text length: 3,500- 5,000 words approx.

Age group: 7 - 9
Extent: 96 - 112pp
Text length: 6,000 - 8,000 words approx.

Content: any subject of interest to the age group, including, but not limited to, humour, fairies,
school, spooky, time-travel, history, detective mysteries, family, science, invention,
exploration, adventure, friendship.

Older Fiction
Full length novels for confident readers. Strong concept-based or character-led series, as
well as strikingly original individual books. Fast-paced, exciting plots with real page-turning
quality; strong characters; dynamic storytelling.

Age group: 8 - 12
Extent: 112pp +
Text length: 15,000 - 50,000 words approx.

Content: extremely wide-ranging and varied, this age group will cover almost any subject
matter, although we are particularly interested in the following: history, other cultures,
mystery, time-travel, spooky, friendship, adventure, humour.

A synopsis and 3 sample chapters of suitable manuscripts should be sent to:

Fiction Submissions, Usborne Publishing Ltd, 83-85 Saffron Hill, London EC1N 8RT.
*Please note that due to the large number of manuscripts we receive, we are unable to track the progress of
individual submissions and a response can take up to six months.